Ukraine

Lynx and hamsters and bears oh my. Yes they have wild hamsters in Ukraine, my niece would be all over that shi... They also have beavers and gophers and wolves. We wouldn't have postcodes if it wasn't for the Ukrainians, bet you didn't know that. They also have claim to the oldest map in the world, engraved on a mammoth tusk, dating back to 12k bc.

Foodwise, you can expect pickles, pickled everything. Naturally there is a Russian influence, but the Ukrainians do have their own distinct cuisine. Setting foodstuffs in aspic went out of fashion in England in the 70s but it’s still going strong in Ukraine in the form of studenetz, jellied meat or fish anyone? Do you have a big occasion coming up? The Ukrainians have an elaborate bread for that, Christmas it’s the kalach, Easter the paska, going to a wedding bring a korovai and it’s a sin not to present a visitor with a palyanytsya. I’m tempted to make a paska this Easter, they’re pretty elaborate and I like a challenge.